Lock-nut structure



March 1953 H. E. SMITH, JR

LOCK-NUT STRUCTURE Original Filed June 3. 1949 INVENTOR.

HERBERT E. SMITH, JR.

. therefor.

Reiuued Mar. 31, 1953 LOCK-NUT STRUCTURE Herbert E. Smith, Jr., Cleveland, Ohio Original No. 2,564,511, dated August 14, 1951, Se-

rial No. 96,975, June 3, 1949.

Application for reissue July 31, 1952, Serial No. 302,024

Matter enclosed in heavy brackets appears in the original patent but forms no part of this reissue specification; matter printed in italics indicates the additions made by reissue.

Claims.

This application is a continuation of my copending application Serial No. 659,978, filed April 5, 1946, now abandoned, and is a substitution My invention relates to lock-nut structures.

This invention is directed to an improved structure of parts comprising a lock-nut adapted to be threaded upon a threaded member, such as a bolt, to hold a work piece, suchas a plate, bar or other member, in position and secured in desired' location by a nut.

An object of my invention is to provide improved co-action between separable parts of a lock-nut and assuring a secure grip of the nut on the bolt or other threaded member.

.Another object is the provision of an improved lock-nut having the clamping action of the locl nut distributed along a substantial longitudinal portion of the threaded member. I

Another object is the provision of a lock-nut arranged to compress a plurality of threads of the lock-nut into firm engagement with the threads of a bolt upon which it is mounted.

Another object is the provision in a lock-nut structure of displacing radially inward several laps or spirals of the lock-nut thread inwardly to substantially fill the thread recess of a bolt for a considerable number of the convolutions of the threaded bolt, whereby the threads of the locknut and of the threaded bolt for a substantial portion of the length of the lock-nut are in full contact with each other. 1

Another object is the provision of an improved structure in a lock-nut having a tapered inner wall on the outer member and a tapered outer wall on the inner member comprising the locknut, the tapers of the respective Walls being at difierent inclined angles to the axis of the locknut structure.

' Another object is the provision of a lock-nut having an inner member and an outer member, having oppositely disposed tapered walls adapted to engage each other to cam the inner member radially inward upon a threaded member, the wall of the outer member being disposed on a faster taper than the wallof the inner member.

Another object is the provision of a lock-nut having opposed camming surfaces so disposed that after the inner member has been cammed inwardly to secure engagement with the threaded member to provide a firm locking action along a substantial portion of the length of the lock-nut. the opposed camming surfaces are in contact with each other along their substantial len th and coincide with the same angle to the axis of the lock-nut structure. 1

Another object is the provision of a lock-nut structure that is economical of production and highly efficient in use.

Another object is the provision of a lock-nut assembly readily mounted and demounted in position on a threaded bolt and at the same time which provides superior gripping qualities for the lock-nut.

Other objects and a fuller understanding of my invention may be had by referring to the following description and claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of my lock-nut structure mounted upon a threaded bolt to engage a I 'work piece, and in which a portion of the lock nut structure is shown in section;

Figure 2 is a plan of my two-piece lock-nut structure showing the inner and outer members thereof in assembled position;

Figure 3 is an endwise view of the insert member or inner member of my lock-nut structure and is a view looking from the smaller end toward the larger end of the insert or inner member.

Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view showing the detailed arrangement of the parts of my locknut structure while in assembled position but prior to the movement of the insert or inner member to a home or complete clamping position;

Figure 5 is a view somewhat like that of Figure 4 and shows the arrangement of the parts after the insert or inner member has been drawn to a home or firmly engaged position.

Figure 6 is a view of the assembled lock-nut structure when in the unlocked position of Figure 4 and shows the outer member in section and the inner member in full; and

Figure 7 1s a view of my lock-nut structure showing the insert member in the relative position of Figure 5, that is, in the home or firm clampin position, and shows the outer member in section and the inner or insert member in full.

In the several views of the drawing, the reference character H indicates an outer or shell member, having a centrally disposed aperture extending therethrough and adapted to receive an insert member. The inner or insert member is denoted by the reference character l2 and it is adapted to enter and engage in the central aperture of the shell member I l. The assembled lock-nut structure is adapted to be'mounted on and threadably engaged to a threaded member I3, such as a bolt. For the purpose of illustrating the .use and operation of the lock-nut struc-' ture, there'is illustrated the work piece or limiting article l4, through which the threaded member I3 extends and which is to be secured against longitudinal movement by the lock-nut structure. The work piece Il may be a plate, bar or any other object to be engaged by the lock-nut structure. The disposition of the work piece II is such that upon meeting the surface of the work piece [4, longitudinal movement of the lock-nut structure toward the work piece is stopped or limited by the opposition of the work piece.

The exterior surface of the outer or shell member II is in hexagonal form and is denoted by the reference character I5. The non-circular exterior surface l5 of the shell member is adapted to be engaged by a wrench or other turning tool. Any other arrangement for turning the lock-nut structure by a turning tool may be, of course, substituted for the hexagonal exterior surface 18.

For the purpose of this description, the righthand side of the lock-nut structure and parts thereof in Figures 1, 4, 5, 6 and '7 will be indicated as the outer end. The end of the nut assembly on the left-hand side of said views will be referred to as the inner end of the structure and parts thereof, that is, the ends of the parts closest to the work piece II will be referred to as the inner end of said parts.

Adjacent the outer end of the shell member II, the inner wall of the central aperture is provided with serrations IS in the form of standard S. A. E. serrations. These serrations Ii are dis- I posed around the inner peripheral wall of the shell member from its outer end rearwardly to the annular recess or relief [8. The annular recess or relief I8 is provided for ease in production and forming of the serrations IS without leaving burrs or the like on the interior of the aperture after the broaching of the serrations I6 rearwardly to the location of recess II.

Adjacent the outer end of the inner or insert member l2, and around its outer peripheral extent, are formed the serrations l I. The length of the serrations l1 are approximately the same as the length of the serrations I8 and the form of the serrations I1 is such that they complementarily engage with serrations IS. The interengagement of serrations l8 and I1 is such that upon moving the insert member I! into the outer member II to a position where the serrations intermesh, such as to the position shown in Figures 1,4 and 6, the outer member II and insert member l2 are locked against rotational movement relative to each other, that is, rotation of outer shell ll causes the insert member I! to rotate therewith. The fit of the interengaged serrations, however; is such that the insert member I! may move longitudinally with respect to y the shell member ll so that there may be relative movement between the two members longitudinally of the threaded bolt, for example, from their relative longitudinal positions shown in Figures 1, 4 and 6 to the relative position of the parts shown in Figures 5 and '7. Other noncircular or appropriate disposition of the parts may be utilized for obtaining the interlocking of the two parts against rotational movement relative to each other.

Extending along a substantial portion of the length of the insert member I! and closest to its inner or smaller end, the outer wall of the insert member [2 is provided with the tapered wall 20 of frusto-conical form. The taper of the tapered wall 20 is such that the wall is disposed at a first angle to the axis of the lock-nut structure. By

way of example, I prefer to dispose the tapered wall 20 at an angle of 5 /2 degrees to the axis of the lock-nut structure. The angularity or the tapered wall 20 is such that the tapered wall I. in relation to other parts of the lock-nut structure may be said to be on a slow taper.

The inner arcuate wall of the outer or shell member II is provided with an opposing tapered surface IS. The inner tapered wall I! of the shell member II is disposed at a secondangle to the axis of the lock-nut structure. As the shell member and insert member are concentrically arranged, each has an axis coinciding with the axis of the assembled lock-nut structure. By way of example, the taper of the tapered wall I! of the shell member II is preferably disposed at an angle of 7 degrees to the axis of the lock-nut structure. The angularity of the internal tapered wall I! is such as to be described as being on a "fast taper in relation to the other parts of the portion of the'insert member and are provided for facilitating inward compression of the insert member along substantially the length of the tapered portion of the insert member. The locknut structure is preferably made of metal and the insert member is particularly preferably made of a metal that is resiliently flexible so that inward radial pressure on the outside of the insert member may cause the tapered wall portion of the insert member to compress about the threaded member 13. The provision of the opposite slits or slots 2| aid in permitting ready compression of the insert member along the tapered portion. The resiliency of the material from which the insert member is made is such that upon removal of compressive forces the insert member may assume its original disposition, such as in the position of Figures 1, 4 and 6. As the outer end of the insert member I: is thicker than the inner end and as it is engaged to the shell member around its periphery. the slits 2| do notextend completely to the outer end of the insert member, and it is not necessary that they do so extend. Since the thicker outer end is engaged to the shell member it cannot circumferentially wrap around the threaded member and move circumferentially relative to the shell member, and therefore the extension of the slits forwardly through the thickened outer end would only weaken the insert member without providing the circumferential wrapping movement of the insert member around the threaded bolt at the outer end of the nut structure. By having multiple slits 2! the insert member I! may be more readily compressed and a more eillcient circumferential wrapping action around the bolt is effected upon inward compression of the insert member.

The insert member I! is provided with internal threads 22 disposed along the central aperture therein. The threads I! of the insert member are adapted to threadably enmesh with threads 23 on the bolt or threaded member It. In the the interfit of threads 22 and 23 is such that the nut structure may be readily turned upon the bolt l3 and without frictional resistance to the turning of the nut structure. A fairly loose and sloppy fit may be tolerated and a thread of one class, such as Class 3, may be used on the insert member, this classification referring to the degree of complementary fit of threads 22 relative to threads 2L I prefer to have my two-member lock-nut structure in assembled position ready for placing on a threaded bolt with the parts generally arranged as shown in Figures 1, 4 and 6. In this loosely assembled arrangement, the insert member is partially within the shell member and the outer end of the insert member protrudes somewhat beyond the outer end of the shell member, as illustrated. Upon placing the thus assembled nut structure upon the threaded bolt l3 and loosely and quickly running the nut structure down on the bolt to where the shell member ll initially engages the work piece H, the parts will retain their relative position shown in Figures 1, 4 and 6. In this assembled and pre-tightening relationship, the turning of shell member ll easily carries with it the insert member I! by reason of the interengagement of the serrations I6 and I1. As soon as the shell member meets a stop or limiting piece, such as work piece 14, then further longitudinal movement of the shell member ll along the threaded member I3 is prevented. Further rotation of the shell member II to rotate the insert member I2 causes the insert member to move inwardly along the bolt and to more closely nested position with the shell member so that the tapered surface 20 approaches the tapered surface l9. This further rotation of the shell member and the limitation of its longitudinal movement forces the tapered wall 20 against the tapered wall l9, and the opposition of said walls to each other causes a camming action so that the tapered portion of the insert member is readily compressed inward upon the threaded bolt. Upon initial engagement of the tapered walls, there is an included angle between them, but as the inward movement of the insert member progresses and the insert member is further compressed, the tapered walls come together until when the insert member is in a .home or fully clamped position, the tapered walls ll! and 20 coincide and the ex-' ternal compressive force on the insert member is and before compression, disposed at the same angle to the axis of the structure, and also differs from arrangements wherein one wallof the opposed walls lsstraight or parallel to the axis and the other or opposingwall is on a taper. Neither of those prior constructions provides an action and result which is obtainable by the herein described construction and arrangement.

I prefer to make my insert member of case hardened steel or other appropriate material providing the required amount of resiliency, compressibility and strength. In the case of insert members made of steel or material that is of a material that is sufliciently compressible initself for a particular use, as for example an distributed alongthe tapered portion of the in- I sert member. Although the tapered walls start out at different angles, theyiend'up at the same angle by reason of the inward resilient compres-.- sion of the insert member. After the insert member is compressed to where the threads 22 substantially fill the space between the threads 23 of the bolt along substantially the' length of tially diflerent in function and in result from that obtained in prior nut structures having opposed taperedsurfaces or walls which are initially.

The herein described construction is substan insert member of silicon bronze for some uses, then the provision of the slits 2| may be found unnecessary for such uses to obtain the required resilient compressibility.

It is to be noted that the arrangement provides for a compression and gripping that is not confined to only the extreme inward end of the insert member and not limited to a location at one convolution of the thread. Rather this compression and clamping action by my device is distributed along a substantial length, and along several convolutions of thread, of the insert member. r

The lock-nut structure maybe readily unlocked from the position shown in Figures 5 and 7 by turning the shell member II in reverse a halftum or turn or other amount, depending on the thread utilized, to back it away from the work piece II. This permits relative longitudinal movement of the insert member and shell member to where one member moves longitudinally away from the other member and the parts will resume the relative position shown in Figures 1, 4 and 6. The resiliency of the insert member and the opposed wall surfaces provide such camming action that when this longitudinal relative movement between the parts is permitted, the insert member will move outwardly relative to the shell member. After resuming the position of Figures- 1, 4 and 6, then the assembled lock-nut structure may be readily and freely turned upon the threaded bolt away from the work piece I.

The arrangement provides a quick, sure and efficient collet-like gripping action of the locknut structure upon the bolt and so secures the lock-nut structure to-the bolt that it is not disengaged or loosened by jars, shaking or vibration after the lock-nut structure has been moved into the home" or looking position.

The present description includes by reference herein the disclosure contained in the appended claims which are hereby made a part of this disclosure.

Although theinvention has been described in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and thecombination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from .the spirit and the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

F 1. A locking nut structure comprising a shell member having an engaging portion adapted to be engaged for turning, said shell member having a central insert-receiving aperture, and an insert member adapted to be received in said aperture in axial alignment therewith, said insert member having an axial length less than that of said shell member, the said shell member and said insert member at a first and outer end portion of f What is claimed isi 8 pered portion of said insert member being slit longitudinally substantially halt the length of the insert member so as to be compressible radially inward toward said threaded member, the rotation of said shell member and insert member nonrotatively engaged therewith on said threaded each having axially extending, non-circular and longitudinal movement of one member toward the other member, the [tapered wall of the] shell member extending toward the inner end beyond the tapered wall of the insert member upon engagement of said walls, the tapered wall of said shell member being on a faster taper than the tapered wall of the insert member along the axial extent of the engageable opposed tapered walls, said insert member having a threaded internal opening extending therethrough and adapted to threadably engage a threaded member, the tapered portion of said insert member being slit longitudinally so as to be compressible radially inward toward said threaded member, the rotation of said shell member and insert member nonrotatively engaged therewith on said threaded member and the'limitation of longitudinal movement of the shell member causing relative movement in a longitudinal direction between said shell member and insert member and the said opposed tapered walls to meet along substantially the longitudinal length of the tapered wall of the insert member, the interaction of said opposed tapered walls upon meeting, compressing said insert member along substantially the longitudinal length of said opposed tapered walls and the conformance of the tapered wall of the insert member to the engaged tapered wall of the shell member. 7

2. A locking nut structure comprising a shell member having an engaging portion adapted to be engaged for turning, said shell member having a central insert-receiving aperture, and an insert member adapted to be received in said aperture in axial alignment therewith, the said shell member and said insert member at a first and outer endportion of each having axially extending, non-circular and complementary interengageable walls adapted to lock said members together against rotational movement relative to each other, the other and inner end portion of said shell member and said insert member having opposed tapered walls extending along the major part 01 the portion 01' the insert member axially extending from said non-circular wall to the inner end of the insert member, said opposed tapered walls being adapted to engage upon longitudinal movement of one member toward the other member, the [tapered wall of the] shell member extending toward the inner end beyond the tapered wall of the insert member upon engagement of said walls, the tapered wall or said shell member being on a faster taper than the tapered wall of the insert member along the axial extent of the engageable opposed tapered walls, said insert member having a threaded internal opening extending therethrough and adapted to threadably engage a threaded member, the tamember and the limitation of longitudinal movement of the shell member causing relative movement in a longitudinal direction between said shell member and insert member and the said opposed tapered walls to meet along the compressible tapered wall of the insert member, the interaction 01 said opposed tapered walls upon meeting, compressing said' insert member along substantially the longitudinal length of the tapered wall of said insert member and the coni'ormance or the tapered wall of the insert member to the engaged tapered wall of the shell member. v

3. A locking nut structure comprising a shell member having an engaging portion adapted to be engaged for turning, said shell member having a central insert-receiving aperture, and an insert member adapted to be received in said aperture in axial alignment therewith, the said shell member and said insert member at an outer end portion of each having axially extending, non-circular and complementary interengageable walls adapted to lock said members together against rotational movement relative to each other, the inner end portion of said shell member and said insert member having opposed tapered walls, the tapered wall of said insert member being on a slower taper than the opposed tapered wall of the shell member, said slower taper being uniform throughout substantially the longitudinal length oi the tapered wall of said insert member, said opposed tapered walls being adapted to engage upon longitudinal movement of one member toward the other member, the inner end of the shell member extending beyond the inner end of the insert member upon engagement of said opposed tapered walls, said insert member having a threaded internal opening extending therethrough and adapted to threadably engage a threaded member, the tapered portion of said insert member being slit longitudinally so as to be compressible radially inward toward said threaded member, the rotation of said shell member and insert member non-rotatively engaged insert member along the major portion of the longitudinal length of the tapered wall of said insert member and the conformance of the tapered wall of the insert member to the engaged tapered wall of the shell member.

4. A locking nut structure comprising a shell member having an engaging portion adapted to be engaged for turning, said shell member having a central insert-receiving aperture and an insert member adapted to be received in said aperture in axial alignment therewith, the said shell member and said insert member at an outer end portion of each having axially extending non-circular and complementary interengageable walls adapted to lock said members together against rotational movement relative to each other, the innerend portion of said shell member and said insert member having 9 a opposed tapered walls, the tapered wall of said insert member being on a slower taper than the opposed tapered wall of the shell member, said slower taper being uniform throughout substantially half the axial length of the insert member, said opposed tapered walls being adapted to engage upon longitudinal movement of one member toward the other member, the said axially extending non-circular and complementary walls of said shell member and insert memher being in the form of a plurality of intermeshed serrations recurrently disposed around the circumferential extent of said insert member and whose maximum radius is greater than the maximum radius of the tapered wall of said shell member, said insert member having a threaded internal opening extending therethrough and adapted to threadably engage a threaded member, the tapered portion of said insert member being slit longitudinally so as to be compressible radially inward toward said threaded member, the rotation of said shell member and insert member non-rotatively engaged therewith on said threaded member and the limitation of longitudinal movement of the shell member causing relative movement in a longitudinal direction between said shell member and insert member and the opposed tapered walls to meet along the major portion of the longitudinal length of the uniformly tapered wall of said insert member and the conformance in taper of the opposed tapered walls to the tapered wall of said shell member.

5. A locking nut structure comprising a shell member having an engaging portion adapted to be engaged for turning, said shell member having a central insert-receiving aperture, and an insert member adapted to be received in said aperture in axial alignment therewith, the said shell member and said insert member at an outer end portion of each having axially extending,

non-circular and complementary interenga'geable walls adapted to lock said members together against rotational movement relative to each other, the inner end portion of said shell member and said insert member having opposed tapered walls, the tapered wall of said insert member being on a slower taper than the opposed tapered wall of the shell member, said slower taper being uniform throughout substantially the longitudinal length of the tapered wall of said insert member, the said shell member having within said insert-receiving aperture an annular shoulder disposed therearound an axial distance from the outer end 01' the shell member, said 10 axial distance being greater than the longitudinal length of the non-circular wall of said insert member to enable the non-circular wall to be received in said insert-receiving aperture, the diameter of said insert-receiving aperture at the location of said shoulder being less than the maximum diameter of the non-circular wall of said insert member, said opposed tapered walls being adapted to engage upon longitudinal movement of one member toward the other member, the inner end of the shell member extending beyond the inner end of the insert member upon engagement of said opposed tapered walls, said insert member having a threaded internal opening extending therethrough and adapted to threadabiy engage a threaded member, the tapered portion of said insert member beingslit longitudinally so as to be compressible radially inward toward said threaded member, the rotation of said shell member and insert member 'non-rotatively engaged therewith on said thread- HERBERT E. SMITH. JR.

REFERENCES crrEn The following references are of record in the file of this patent or the original patent:

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